Justice News

Williamson County Court at Law Judge Indicted by Federal Grand Jury in Connection with Firearm Violations and False Statements to a Government Agent

In Austin today, a federal grand jury indicted Williamson County Court at Law Judge Timothy L. Wright, III, on various firearm violations and making false statements to a government agent. That announcement was made today by Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Robert Elder, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge James Spero.

The nine-count indictment alleges that between June 1, 2014, and February 24, 2015, Wright sold firearms on three occasions to a person he knew or had reasonable cause to believe was a convicted felon; aided, abetted and facilitated the smuggling and attempted smuggling of firearms from the United States; and made a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. In addition, the indictment alleges that Wright made false statements on two occasions to a government agent about creating false paperwork and selling firearms to a convicted felon.

According to ATF Special Agent in Charge Robert Elder, “This firearms trafficking investigation, which involves multiple firearms destined for Mexico, is another example of ATF’s relentless pursuit of individuals who attempt to utilize any means available to illegally appropriate and divert firearms for criminal purposes.”

“The indictment of Timothy L. Wright, Williamson County Court at Law Judge, sends a strong message that Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) will not tolerate the unlawful export of firearms, regardless of the smuggler’s position or status,” said James Spero, Special Agent in Charge, HSI San Antonio. “These serious gun charges are a breach of that public trust which puts the safety of our communities at risk.”

Wright, age 70, has been the judge of Williamson County Court at Law # 2 since January 2, 2003.

Upon conviction, Wright faces up to ten years of imprisonment on each firearm charge and up to five years of imprisonment on each count alleging false statement to a government agent.

This indictment resulted from an investigation conducted by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Internal Revenue Service and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Galdo is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

An indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.